| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| adamantine |
firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| exceptionable |
likely to be objected to; objectionable. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| stately |
dignified. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |